This Italian power metal outfit has been around for several years already but only now has the band come to my attention. Yup, I know what you are thinking: “‘yet another Italian power metal act”. Well, things aren’t quite as bleak as they might seem. To begin with, this band has been signed by Nuclear Blast (not the smallest of labels as we all know) a while ago and “Scent Of Human Desire” is the band’s first release for that label. Secondly, Secret Sphere manages to dodge the pitfalls that have taken victim many of its rival Italian power metal acts. “What pitfalls?” I hear you think. Well, the terrible cliché song structuring and fantasy lyrics which are so prevalent in the current power metal scene.

Then what does Secret Sphere offer? First of all the band mixes traditional power metal with progressive and symphonic elements; Dream Theater and Fates Warning influences can be heard throughout the whole album as well as more hard rock oriented elements. Sure, it isn’t all that original either and once in a while certain passages remind maybe a bit too strongly of Dream Theater, but it is definitely a step up from the average power metal act.

Secret Sphere truly excels in the choruses; they are catchy, melodic, passionate and to the point.

Whether it is the wonderful chorus of “1000 Eyes’ Show” or the Fates Warning-like chorus of “More Than Simple Emotions”, they make this album shine. Singer Ramon has a bit of a nasal sound but his technique is up to scratch and he, just like the rest of the band, is at his best during the choruses. If the rest of the music would have been as good as each and every chorus this band would have created one hell of an excellent album, unfortunately that is not the case. Nevertheless it is all very decent.

The album was recorded in Italy in the House of Music studios and mixed by Achim Köhler known for his work with bands like Brainstorm, Sinner and Primal Fear. Compared to the recent releases of the aforementioned bands I think the production is a little sloppy. The guitars are a bit too raw and could use some polishing while the keyboards are pushed too far in the background but of course that’s a matter of taste. “Scent Of Human Desire” is a very decent power metal album and proves that, with some changes, Secret Sphere could grow out to become one of the dominant power metal acts in Italy.